Monday, September 25, 2006

ABC Sitcom Pilot Review: Help Me Help You - Premieres September 26th

Help Me Help You

Help Me Help You - Tuesdays at 9:30PM ET/PT on ABC
Premieres September 26th at 9:30PM ET/PT

Ted Danson ("Cheers," "Becker") stars in this comedy series about a collection of eccentric individuals in group therapy with a respected therapist -- who may quite possibly have more problems than his patients.

Dr. Bill Hoffman (Danson) is a brilliant therapist with a lucrative practice and the author of several definitive psychotherapy texts. He is an icon among his fellow therapists. But his over-inflated ego is dealt a blow when he is forced to come to grips with the end of his 25-year marriage to wife Anne (guest star Jane Kaczmarek, "Malcolm in the Middle"). Bill is also forced to deal with the news that his daughter is dating her psychology professor -- a man old enough to be her father and who also happens to idolize him. Things are changing too fast, and Bill is struggling to keep up.

When it comes to the group patients, Bill also has his work cut out for him: The newest group member, Dave (Charlie Finn, the film "The Dukes of Hazzard"), recently attempted suicide by jumping out of his office window -- and landing on his boss; Jonathan (Jim Rash, "Sky High") is a self-avowed metro-sexual who is in serious denial that he might possibly be gay; Inger (Suzy Nakamura, "Dodgeball") is a 25-year-old, self-made millionaire who totally lacks social skills and hasn't had a real date in over six years; Darlene (Darlene Hunt, "I Heart Huckabees") has too many psychological issues to count, including her obsession with Dr. Hoffman; and Michael (Jere Burns, "Good Morning Miami," "Dear John") has anger issues at work, which is what led him into mandatory group therapy.

The group will try to apply Bill's advice to their lives out in the world, while Bill tries to figure out his own life problems.

"Help Me Help You" was created by Jennifer Konner & Alexandra Rushfield ("Undeclared"), who also serve as executive producers, along with Alex Reid ("Malcolm in the Middle"). The show is from Regency Television.

Cast: Ted Danson as Dr. Bill Hoffman, Charlie Finn as Dave, Jim Rash as Jonathan,
Suzy Nakamura as Inger, Darlene Hunt as Darlene, Jere Burns as Michael.

Read our review of the pilot and 3rd episode here.

Discuss the show after you watch it on Tuesday on our message board.

Related Links:

  • ABC.com Official Site
  • TV.com
  • epguides.com
  • Internet Movie Database
  • Wikipedia
  • Help Me Help You Photo Gallery

  • Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

    Friday, January 30

    Happy's Place - "Silence Was Golden" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
    While Bobbie attempts to plan the perfect anniversary dinner for her and Emmett, Steve and Takoda must hide a secret from Isabella and Gabby that could ruin Bobbie's special evening.

    Stumble - "Lights Out" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
    After the AI data center that Courteney helped woo drains Heådltston of water and power, the town and school shut down, sending her cheer team scattered to the wind; with Daytona looming, Courteney relies on Boon to help save the day.

    Complete TV Listings


    Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 26)

    Friday, January 30

    • Anthony Anderson (black-ish/Guys with Kids/All About the Andersons) - Watch Anthony on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
    • Jane Fonda (Grace and Frankie) - Jane appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
    • Jessica Williams (Shrinking/Love Life/Just for Kicks) - Jessica is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
    • Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!) - Alan appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
    • Garcelle Beauvais (The Other Black Girl/Survival of the Thickest/The Jamie Foxx Show/Merry Happy Whatever) - Garcelle talks about Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
    • Jason Biggs (Outmatched/Mad Love/Drexell's Class) - Jason talks about Untitled Home Invasion Romance with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
    • Katherine LaNasa (Three Sisters) - Katherine chats about The Pitt with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
    • Kevin James (The Crew/Kevin Can Wait/The King of Queens) - Kevin talks about Solo Mio on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
    • Joel McHale (Animal Control/The Great Indoors/Community) - Joel talks about the new season of Animal Control on Fox on Sherri, so check your local listings.
    • Sarah Shahi (Teachers) - Sarah tells Sherri about her new book, Life is Lifey: The A to Z’s of Navigating Life’s Messy Middle, on Sherri, so check your local listings.
    • Laura Dern (F Is for Family/Enlightened) - Drew chats with the legendary Laura Dern on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.


    New on DVD and Blu-ray

    Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD) St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

    07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
    08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
    09/30 - Touché Turtle and Dum Dum - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD)
    10/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    10/28 - St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    11/04 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    11/11 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    11/11 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
    11/11 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    12/02 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    12/16 - Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    12/16 - Wally Gator - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    01/20 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
    01/27 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    02/11 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
    03/24 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)

    More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


    Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

    01/29 - Season 4 of Ted Lasso Premieres This Summer; Shrinking Renewed for Season 4 as Season 3 Premieres
    01/28 - Nikki Glaser's New Hulu Special Premieres April 24; HBO Announces Late-Night Series
    01/27 - Trailer for The Muppet Show Special Event; New Evolution of The Handmaid's Tale Series
    01/26 - FETV Acquires '70s S.W.A.T. Series; Paramount+ Releases Date for Can You Keep a Secret? Comedy Series
    01/25 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 26, 2026)
    01/24 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Kenan and Kel Back Together for Upcoming Movie; Amazon Barbershop Series Adds to Cast
    01/23 - CBS Renews 10 More Series for 2026-27; Shifting Gears and Abbott Elementary Return Big in January
    01/22 - Dancing with the Stars Live Tour Starts TODAY; Beef Returns April 16
    01/21 - Prime Video's Bait Premieres March 25; Production Underway on Season 2 of Arctic-set Comedy North of North
    01/20 - Baywatch Casting Call for Reboot on Fox; Mike Epps Netflix Special Trailer
    01/19 - MGM+ Comedy Series American Classic; Taylor Tomlinson Returns to Netflix
    01/18 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 19, 2026)
    01/17 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Rockford Files Reboot at NBC; Daniel Stern Fired From ABC Comedy Pilot
    01/16 - Ted Season 2 Trailer Released; Remembering T.K. Carter of Punky Brewster, TV Director Tom Cherones, and Others We Recently Lost
    01/15 - The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins Gets Special Preview; ABC Midseason Changes for Monday and Tuesday Night Lineups
    01/14 - NBC Orders Pilots, Including The Rockford Files; The CW to Premiere Celebrity Series
    01/13 - 83rd Golden Globe Winners; Tubi's Upcoming YA Film Slate
    01/12 - Peacock's The 'Burbs Trailer; The Jeff Foxworthy Show Launch Back on COZI TV
    01/11 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 12, 2026)
    01/10 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Henry Winkler to Star in NBC Legal Comedy Pilot; First Look at Peacock's The 'Burbs
    01/09 - HBO's Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! Documentary with Interviews Including Rob Reiner; 83rd Annual Golden Globes Presenters
    01/08 - Netflix Orders Nick Kroll Comedy Series; Saturday Night Live January 2026 Hosts and Music Guests
    01/07 - Saturday Night Live Bobbleheads from the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum; Fox Entertainment Signs Tracee Ellis Ross to Deal
    01/06 - Emily in Paris Renewed for Season 6; Audible's New Comedy Series Starring Jenifer Lewis, Cedric the Entertainer, and Niecy Nash-Betts
    01/05 - Trailer for The Muppet Show Special Event; Season 3 of Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal on Adult Swim
    01/04 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 5, 2026)
    01/03 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Premiere Date Set for Malcolm in the Middle Reboot; NBC Pulls The Paper
    01/02 - Bridgerton Season 4 Details and Live Premiere Event; NBC Pulls The Paper from Mondays
    01/01 - Happy New Year; Shrinking Season 3 Trailer
    12/31 - In Memoriam: Remembering the Sitcom Stars We Lost in 2025
    12/30 - Antenna TV and Rewind TV's New Year's Eve and Day Marathons; Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair Premieres April 10
    12/29 - COZI TV Postpones The Jeff Foxworthy Show Launch; Netflix Releases Free Bert Trailer